A mass exodus of George Mason University freshman and new
students headed toward the St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel Friday afternoon for the
GMU Catholic Patriots’ annual back-to-school luau.
According to the Catholic campus ministry chaplain, Father James R.
Searby, the event has become so popular that it made it on the university’s move-in
events calendar. This year, a record-breaking 1,700 students enjoyed barbecue,
music, ice cream and games on the chapel lawn — 400 more than last year.
“Everyone on campus was
talking about it,” said freshman Kendal Angeloff, who won her most expensive
textbook at the luau raffle.
Sophomore Jack Schierling, who helped welcome students, remembers
attending the luau as a freshman last year.
“It’s the first major introduction to the chapel and a great
opportunity to meet people,” said Schierling. “It’s like the opening act to a
circus performance.”
Father Searby said he enjoyed the opportunity to introduce the
students to the campus ministry.
“The luau kicks off the first 168 hours of school,” he said. “During the first week, students will encounter the closest
friends they will have in college.” Father Searby hopes the luau encourages
students to return for the many fun and formative events he has planned,
including P3 — prayer, penance and pub; Thursday night supper and speaker; and
the new Thomistic institute. The campus ministry is putting the finishing
touches on the renovated chapel and a recently purchased the house next to the rectory. The “Manor
house,” which will open in mid-September, will host Bible studies, student
activities and build on the ministry’s mission to help students encounter
Christ during college.
“The idea of campus ministry is to form the whole person,” said
Father Searby. “We work with the university and with the education they have
already received from their parents.”
While the luau focused on new students, the Catholic Patriots
also have big plans to start an alumni association, according to Father Searby.
“We hope to kick that off this semester around alumni weekend (in
October) to bring the Catholics out, get them to see the chapel and see what is
going on,” he said.
Buy photos from the GMU luau at catholicherald.smugmug.com.
